9.2 Eligibility

Is 'geography' a place or can it be a community of interest e.g. disabled people owning shares in a service delivery business for the benefit of the community.]

Societies with a community of interest are eligible for the Booster Programme, subject to their meeting Power to Change’s definition of a community business - see section 7.3 of the Guidance Notes. They must be locally rooted in a place but may well draw on a wider community of interest in terms of their members and investors.

How much match funding support can we expect if we are not in a disadvantaged area? Will it be limited?

Deprivation/disadvantage is a key consideration for the Booster Programme and its funder Power to Change but it is considered along with the rest of the application. The Booster investment criteria can be found in section 2.2.4 of the Guidance Notes. For less disadvantaged places there is no pre-set limit apart from the standard Booster limit of £100K equity match per society.

Will you support new share offers from existing community energy groups?

Yes, assuming they meet the Booster Programme eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the Booster Programme societies must meet Power to Change’s definition of a community business - see section 7.3 of the Guidance Notes.